Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2236 Location: Hayden, AL

I've since talked or heard from/about some of the shootout participants as being ok. We were without power for a few days, half a tree on the house but all intact. Blevins', Labars, Morris', Stancils, Taylors, Whites all ok. Being without power for a few days, I didn't realize how extensively the storms tracked across the country.

I talked to Bobby 5/2 - The Shoot Out is coming up...So Keep yer powder dry....
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2236 Location: Hayden, AL

The shootout has come and gone, great guns, great people, great times. Folks, we build memories and friendships that will last for years to come. Its really hard to describe what you are missing. This weekend you could have seen, Minty Kokura Sniper, Several Type 2s, a 'few' 99s were also there, including series' 12 and 45, a Mexican Arisaka, Mukden Mauser, just about anything you could ask for was there. One gentleman in attendance was tickled to find an 1897 trench gun to study, photograph and shoot. A zero cockpit gun (vickers) on a ground mount, a StG44 (Sturmgewehr), and a couple other things. Bob was there with his Big Custom Johnson, the mg34 ran well as well as the 99 lmg, 96lmg, and the Type 11. The food was great, the beverages cold, and the locusts were humming. Finest kind, no other way to describe it. You should have been there! Hope to see you next year!

2009 Shootout YouTube Video Link

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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2236 Location: Hayden, AL

I've added a link to a video from the 2009 Blevins Shoot. I'll try and make one from the 2011 shoot and post later.
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

type-14 · Joined: May 02 2006 Posts: 206 Location: Florida Panhandle

Here are a few more photos of the weekends events. REALLY great seeing everyone and enjoying the stories almost as much as the shooting. Trey, I still say that was a bear sleeping in the tent next to mine and he was even drowning you out!!

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2236 Location: Hayden, AL

Bears there were,
an 'even' three,
Aaron, Scott, and little ole me...

My tent was between the two and it took two quarts of NightKill to make it through till morning...

Distance award was almost a tie,
We had two participants from Japan,
two participants from New Zealand,
the Kiwis edged out the Japanese attendees on a technicality, they stayed for the duration and Tsuki and Terry work here in the States. The Kiwis were here for R&R.
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

smzeigler · Joined: Aug 22 2003 Posts: 34 Location: Northern Virginia

All,

2011 Shootout has come and gone. It was too fast, too fun and a good time as always. Trey thanks for your cooking skills and bring out your very nice Mexican Arisaka. I truly enjoyed the fellowship, meeting new folks and catching up with old friends. I'll try to post some photos as time permits.

Enjoyed it, Shannon
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gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2236 Location: Hayden, AL

Some other things have come to mind. If I repeat something I've mentioned previously just ignore it.

The Two-Dons brought some interesting stuff. Don S. had some wonderful super rare Pistols on display (imperial gift hint hint...incidentally I'm convinced everyone has the translation on these incorrect, that they actually read "property of Trey") and pictures of his collection and some seriously hard to find reproduction parts. I availed myself of a Type 18 rod and a Siamese Mauser rod. I still need original rods for my complete satisfaction (that sounds bad) but these will do just fine for now! Don V., while showing off a very affordable Type 44 and replacement stock for same, was tasked with keeping Ye Kindly Old Editor, the Grasshopper King, and the Kiwi contingent from streaking down the knee mortar range for reasons known only to them.

Type-14 lived up to his name, a Type 14 Cutaway, A serial number 1, and some other equally rare birds from that family. He brought along a couple ropeholes for show and tell on loan from a friend that....oh nevermind.... Big Paul brought some pretty neat wares, Shannon had his 99 light and some of the nicest Siamese weapons I've seen, I couldn't quite sneak them out of the nuthouse, Shannon is always up for letting someone "rock and roll" on the 99 light (some folks calls it "firing full auto, I likes to call it Rock-n-Roll"), whether it be 7.7, .308, or 7.62x39. Mike brought some battle damaged goodies that were quite enviable, he always has a few things I need. John D had a Trapdoor Springfield that was a pleasure to fire, he also had a great shooter grade 26th series Nagoya, 8 digits away from one of mine (why if I had a dollar) and one of those neat .22 Mosin style trainers that the kids doted on all weekend. I never heard the results of their Enfield vs Mosin .22 trainer match, but it lasted for 2 days, luckily there are still grooves in both barrels for next year... Vince D. had all sorts of wonderful goodies for firing; 1871 Mauser Carbine, something English, something French, something from a Japanese Zero and several other foreign oddities, he made sure everyone got to fire each if they were interested. Vince probably wins the Around the World in 80 weapons award for most countries firearms represented at the shootout and it was definitely appreciated!

The youngsters and newbies got to fire everything at least once, and burned through several thousand rounds including pellets, .22 lr, and other stuff. For some it is a once in a lifetime thing.
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

smzeigler · Joined: Aug 22 2003 Posts: 34 Location: Northern Virginia

All,

Trey has covered most of the interesting weapons, so I thought I'd add a few "slice of shootout life" shots. Trey is our defacto chef and kept us well feed with omelets, red beans and rice, ribs and other goodies. Some folks sleep in their cars, camp on site or for the weak or old hotels are nearby - always a fun event. Mark your calendar for 2012.

Enjoy, Shannon

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gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2236 Location: Hayden, AL

forgot about the best part, or maybe it never happened, hard to say...

cruising chicks in the parking lot/campground/knee mortar range...

The 5 R's (rehydrate, relax, ridicule, research, & remembrance)

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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2236 Location: Hayden, AL

I've spoken with the proprietor and the 2012 Shootout is on. Blevins Mountain here we come!
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

DEFUC · Joined: Aug 17 2004 Posts: 200 Location: UP of michigan

Have fun and be safe yuh'all ..Im marking the days,even tho Im not going,LOL.Just under 2 months to go Crying or Very sad